DENVER — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is proposing funding for free rail and bus transit during the state’s ozone pollution season as part of his 2022-23 budget request. Colorado Public Radio reports the $28 million proposal is part of $424 million in air-quality projects in the budget request, which also includes $150 million for electric […]
STB allows Minnesota shipper’s complaint against Union Pacific to proceed
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will allow a Minnesota company to proceed with its complaint against Union Pacific that alleges service reductions by the railroad violate UP’s common carrier obligation and constitute unreasonable practices. In a decision issued Tuesday, the board granted a request by Sanimax USA to partially revoke commodity exemptions and allow […]
O’Hare peoplemover system set to resume operation
CHICAGO — A long-delayed peoplemover rail system at O’Hare Airport is set to begin operation today (Nov. 3, 2021), almost three years late and four years after a predecessor system shut down. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the new system will be able to carry 4,800 riders per hour, almost twice the number of the previous […]
STB issues proposed schedule for CP-KCS merger proceeding
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has laid out a 245-day schedule for submission of evidence and arguments on the merger application for Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern under a proposal released Tuesday afternoon — envisioning a longer process than the railroads had hoped for. The 245-day plan would proceed from last Friday, Oct. […]
CP and KCS project dramatic rise in daily train counts
WASHINGTON – Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern say their proposed merger will generate significant traffic growth, with daily train counts on the combined system’s north-south spine projected to more than double within three years. The traffic details were among those included in the railways’ 4,342-page, 1-gigabyte merger application filed with U.S. regulators late Friday. […]
Gift ideas for train lovers and railfans | Christmas and Holiday Gift Guide
Kalmbach Media is making holiday shopping a little easier with a well-rounded gift guide for the railfan or train enthusiast in your life. Whether the person is a hard-to-shop for family member, a train-curious acquaintance, or someone in between, Kalmbach has you covered. 10 items top our list this year — each selected from the […]
CN letter to shareholders attacks activist investor, questions focus on operating ratio
MONTREAL — Canadian National has issued a seven-page document regarding the proxy fight led by activist investor TCI Fund Management in which it says TCI’s “motives are highly suspect and its approach to railroading is outdated, myopic, and destructive to longer-term value.” The “Letter to Stockholders” issued Tuesday morning by the CN board of directors […]
Latest blockade of KCS de Mexico route ends
CALTZONTZIN, Mexico — The latest blockade of Kansas City Southern de Mexico tracks by a Mexican teachers’ union has ended after 91 days, Mexico Daily News reports. National Guard troops cleared the tracks in the state of Michoacán on Sunday afternoon, and KCSM trains were expected to begin running the same day. An industry association […]
After 12 years, Metra holds station groundbreaking (updated)
CHICAGO – More than a dozen city, state, local, and Metra officials took turns speaking to the media Monday, then posed for the obligatory shovel photo on the site where the $22 million Peterson-Ridge commuter rail station in the Edgewater neighborhood on Chicago’s north side will be built during the next 18 months. Metra first […]
Minnesota county disputes funding for Northstar commuter rail
MINNEAPOLIS — One of the counties that helps fund Minnesota’s Northstar commuter rail service is seeking to reduce its share of payments to keep the line running, and joining in questions whether the operation should continue in the wake of a massive loss of ridership because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports […]
CP to build additional hydrogen locomotives, fueling facilities
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific will expand its hydrogen locomotive development program from one locomotive to three after receiving a $15 million grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta. The grant, announced Monday, will also allow the railroad to develop hydrogen production and fueling facilities. It matches the $15 million CP had already planned to invest in […]
FRA letter warns Norfolk Southern about conductor training, safety deficiencies
WASHINGTON — Citing a string of recent train-service employee accidents involving injury or maiming, the Federal Railroad Administration last week again warned Norfolk Southern about deficiencies in its conductor-certification program. In an Oct. 28 letter to CEO James Squires, FRA Deputy Administrator Amit Bose wrote that “NS has had five conductors/brakemen suffer amputations and crushing […]